Loretta H. Braunesreither

1924 - 2025

Loretta H. Braunesreither

November 30, 1924 - October 28, 2025

Loretta H. Braunesreither, 100, passed away 33 days before her 101st birthday at Rapid City Monument Hospital on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

Loretta was the first child born to Emil and Hattie (Hacecky) Killian in Yankton, SD on November 30, 1924. Loretta was reared on her parents' farm near Utica in Yankton County.

After graduating from Lesterville High School, Loretta helped her brother, Marvin, support their mother. She first worked at Yankton Laundry, and then Gurney Seed and Nursery Company.

Loretta was chosen to take a six-week teaching course at Yankton College. She passed the state exam and went on to teach in a one-room rural school a couple miles west of Yankton.

December 1944 changed many lives with notification of the draft starting February 5, 1945. Her high school sweetheart, Alpha, had already given her a ring a couple years before. Their plans to wed were accelerated. They were married January 3, 1945 at Martinus Lutheran Church near Utica, SD.

Three children were born of this union: Gary of Rapid City, SD; Gayle (James) Soehle of Rapid City, SD; and Gwen Gage of Austin, TX.

Alpha was stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA. Loretta was determined to go be with him, so she traveled alone to Ft. Lewis where she obtained a job with a company that inventoried and kept in operation the thick steel wheels of the trains.

She returned to Yankton, SD for the birth of their son, Gary, on his dad's 21st birthday, September 21, 1945. Later, she and Gary returned to Ft. Lewis in Olympia, WA where the young family resided until Alpha's discharge from the Army.

They returned to Yankton, SD and two years later had their second child, Gayle. From there, they moved to Marion and Hudson, SD, where they had their third child, Gwen, on December 11, 1953.

During this time, Loretta was involved with a Garden and Book Club and also active in Ladies Aid. She kept busy with gardening, canning, cooking, baking, trying new recipes, and making clothes for the children, frequently out of hand-me-downs.

The next move was to Rapid City in 1957 where Alpha took a position as Education Advisor at Ellsworth AFB. Loretta got a job at the Rapid City Journal as a proofreader. They became charter members of Faith Lutheran Church which was under construction in 1957. They volunteered by helping lay floor tile and painting to get the church ready. While residing in different towns, they met many people, many of whom became lifelong friends.

Their next move was in 1967 to Pierre, SD where Alpha was offered the position of Executive Secretary of the South Dakota Higher Education facilities. Loretta was employed as a proofreader at the Capital Journal.

Six years later, they returned to Rapid City. Loretta went back to the Rapid City Journal.

Nearing retirement age, she wasn't ready to leave the work force, so she was employed at the Rapid City Regional Hospital until Alpha convinced her to retire at the age of 69.

Loretta was well known by family and friends for her poppy seed bismarcks, cinnamon caramel rolls, flaky pie crusts, and coffee kuchen (which she frequently donated to church bazaars). Her other culinary skills included canning (from their garden) and favorite meals were pork roast, sauerkraut and steamed dumplings, Reuben casserole, and picnic chicken. Loretta was a good chef and taught her children well. After retirement, family and friends were blessed with her many meals and baked goods.

Alpha and Loretta enjoyed dancing, from jitterbug, square dancing, and many other styles. They were perfect partners. After Alpha passed away, she still enjoyed dancing until age 95.

Among the many things that were highlights for Loretta were starting her day with feeding and talking to the many varieties of birds and deer that made their daily visits. She also enjoyed canning, sewing, attending to her flower gardens, parades, music, dancing, and making sure everything thrived, including her children, grandchildren, and plants. Her other activities were "Chicken Soup for the Soul", word-find books and looking at pictures of family and friends. The family enjoyed the many stories of her childhood memories and all the adventures she had through the years.

Loretta's children, grandsons and their families were a significant part of her life. She cherished the times they spent together. Memories from her grandchildren included she always made sure they were well taken care of, fed, happy, and loved. The grandchildren spent many summers with their grandma and grandpa.

Loretta welcomed everyone, family and friends, into her home and at her table. Loretta often mentioned her children were the jewels in her crown.

Loretta will be remembered by her twinkling blue eyes, smile, stylish fashion, love of music, and generous heart.

Loretta is survived by her son, Gary Braunesreither of Rapid City, SD; daughters, Gayle Soehle of Rapid City, SD and Gwen Gage of Austin, TX; four grandchildren: LeJay (Jacqui) of San Marcos, TX, Christian (Pashia) of Belfair, WA; Sam (Elyse) Gage of Austin, TX, and Casey (Ali) Gage of Kyle, TX; great grandchildren: Michael (Mechelle) Haire of Edgewood, MD, Kodi (Mercedes) of New Braunfels, TX, Jonathon of Ft Worth, TX, Gavyn of Belfair, WA, and Brody and Charlotte of Kyle, TX; and great great grandchildren: Ryker, Killian, and Aurellia Haire of Edgewood, MD, and Theodore, Juliet, and Nathaniel of New Braunfels, TX.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, husband Alpha, and brother Marvin.

The Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, November 17, 2025 at Faith Lutheran Church in Rapid City with Pastor David Steele officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at the church. A lunch will follow the service. Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery at 2:30 PM. Family and friends may sign Loretta's online guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome.com